How to Grow Imagination Blue
Wikimedia Commons
Imagination Blue
Felicia amelloides 'Imagination Blue'
flowerImagination Blue is a compact, bushy annual or tender perennial featuring delicate daisy-like flowers with deep blue petals and golden yellow centers. It blooms prolifically throughout warm months and is prized for containers, borders, and hanging baskets. The plant tolerates heat and drought once established, making it ideal for water-conscious gardeners.
When should you plant Imagination Blue in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Imagination Blue timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Imagination Blue
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Imagination Blue blooms
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Imagination Blue dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best in zones 9-11; grow as an annual in cooler zones or bring indoors for winter
Sign up free to see if Imagination Blue grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Imagination Blue timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with 2-4 true leaves emerging 7-14 days after germination
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light and good air circulation to prevent damping off. Thin or prick out when first true leaves appear.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksYoung plants develop bushy foliage with multiple stems; no flowers yet
Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching and bushier growth. Maintain moderate moisture and full sun. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
8-12 weeks or until frostDense clusters of blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centers appear throughout the plant
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Water consistently and maintain feeding schedule. Pinch occasionally to maintain compact shape.
Peak Bloom
6-10 weeksPlant is covered in vibrant blue flowers with minimal visible foliage
Continue deadheading and consistent watering. Apply diluted fertilizer weekly for sustained flowering. Reduce watering slightly if grown in high-humidity conditions.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Increase humidity to discourage infestations.
-
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Prune heavily infested foliage.
-
Spray with strong water stream; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
-
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or fungicide if necessary.
Uses
Edible Garnish
CulinaryThe delicate blue flowers are edible and make stunning garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. They add visual appeal and a subtle floral note to culinary presentations. [source]
Container & Basket Display
HouseholdImagination Blue excels in hanging baskets, containers, window boxes, and mixed planters. Its cascading habit and prolific blooming make it ideal for adding continuous color to patios and entryways. [source]
Fresh Cut Flowers
CraftDelicate blue daisy-like flowers are suitable for fresh arrangements and bouquets. They add a charming, cottage-garden aesthetic to floral designs and last several days in water. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe open-faced blue flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators throughout the growing season. Planting Imagination Blue supports local pollinator populations. [source]
Heat & Drought Tolerant Landscape
HouseholdOnce established, this plant tolerates heat and periodic drought, making it excellent for water-wise gardens and low-maintenance landscape design in warm climates. [source]
Harvest Tips
Imagination Blue is grown for ornamental flowers, not harvest. Deadhead faded flowers frequently—pinch off just below the spent bloom—to promote continuous flowering throughout the season. Cut flower stems for arrangements when flowers are fully open in early morning.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Imagination Blue is a cultivar of Felicia amelloides, commonly called 'Blue Daisy' or 'Kingfisher Daisy,' native to South Africa where it thrives in sandy, well-draining soils.
- 🌱 The plant's prolific blooming is so profuse that flowers often completely hide the foliage when the plant is thriving, creating a solid dome or mound of blue.
- 🌱 In its native habitat, Felicia amelloides is a perennial shrublet, but it is typically grown as an annual in temperate regions or overwintered indoors as a tender perennial.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Imagination Blue planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Imagination Blue seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Imagination Blue timeline →